>> GOOD EVENING.

AND WELCOME TO CHICAGO TONIGHT.

LATINO VOICES.

I'M JOINED THAT MAN.

THIS ON THE SHOW TONIGHT.

>> THE CONDITIONS IN THIS I PRAYED AGAIN, HAVE IMPROVED.

>> NEW INFORMATION ON HOW THE CITY SAYS IT ADDRESSED OCTOBER HEALTH CONCERNS AT A PULSE AND MIGRANT SHELTER AND WHY ALL THE PEOPLE SAY THEY'VE BEEN LEFT IN THE DARK.

>> JUST IMAGINE, YOU KNOW, YOU'RE INNOCENT.

WE'VE GOT NOBODY'S HERE.

>> FINALLY HEARD AND FREED HIM.

HE COMES HOME AFTER SERVING THE STATE'S LONGEST SENTENCE FOR WRONGFUL CONVICTION.

THE OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES OF BUYING YOUR FIRST HOME.

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW.

AND NOW ROGERS PARK RESIDENT IS KEEPING THOUSANDS OF MIGRANTS WARMER THIS WINTER.

>> FIRST OFF TONIGHT, MAYOR BRANDON JOHNS IS ADMINISTRATION NOW SAYS IT WAS MADE AWARE IN LATE OCTOBER OF HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUES AT THE POLLS AND MIGRANT SHELTER WHERE YOUNG BOY EVENTUALLY FELL ILL AND DIED.

THE ADMINISTRATION'S COMMENTS COME AFTER WTW NEWS REPORTED OF AN E-MAIL SENT TO JOHNSON AND TOP COLLEAGUES THAT DESCRIBE CONDITIONS LIKE IN SAID INFESTATIONS ILLNESS OUTBREAKS IN RAW SEWAGE.

THE ADMINISTRATION INITIALLY WITHHELD THE CONTENTS OF THOSE E-MAILS TO WTW NEWS BUT REVERSED COURSE AFTER OUR REPORT AND RELEASE THEM NOW.

SOME OTHER PEOPLE WANT TO KNOW WHY THE ADMINISTRATION DIDN'T SHARE THE DETAILS WITH THEM AND DIDN'T ACT SOONER.

PARIS SCHUTZ HAS THE LATEST IN HIS WTW NEWS INVESTIGATION.

>> MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON AND TOP MEMBERS OF HIS ADMINISTRATION NOW ACKNOWLEDGE THEY WERE WARNED THAT THE CROWDED MIGRANT SHELTER ON THE 2200 BLOCK OF SOUTH HALSTED WAS PLAGUED WITH HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUES.

AN OCTOBER 28 E-MAIL SENT FROM 11TH WARD ALDERWOMAN.

THE COLEY WARNED OF, QUOTE, INSUFFICIENT BATHROOMS, EXPOSED PIPES WITH RAW SEWAGE, INSECT COCKROACH INFESTATION.

POSSIBLE OUTBREAK OF ILLNESS WITH MANY PEOPLE BEING SICK, INSUFFICIENT PROVISION OF MEALS AND WATER AND POOR IN DISRESPECTFUL TREATMENT OF MIGRANTS, HOUSE AND SHELTER BY STAFF.

THE E-MAIL ALSO DESCRIBED A TENSE LIVING SITUATION WITH MULTIPLE FIGHTS BREAKING OUT W T TW FILED A FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT REQUEST FOR THAT AND FOLLOW UP EMAILS.

ENTER STEVE DOCUMENTS WITH THE INFORMATION NEARLY COMPLETELY WITHHELD.

BUT WTW OBTAINED A CLEAN VERSION FROM ANOTHER SOURCE.

OUR TUESDAY REPORT PROMPTED THE ADMINISTRATION TO REVERSE COURSE YESTERDAY AND RELEASED THE FULL EMAILS AFTER REFUSING TO COMMENT FOR WTW ORIGINAL STORY.

THE JOHNSON ADMINISTRATION SENT A STATEMENT LAST NIGHT SAYING, QUOTE, THE CITY WAS AWARE OF ISSUES RAISED REGARDING CONDITIONS AT THE SHELTER AT 22 41 SOUTH HALSTED AND HAD ACTIVELY BEEN IN THE PROCESS OF ADDRESSING THE SITUATION.

WELL, THE CITY RECOGNIZES THAT THERE IS STILL MORE WORK TO BE DONE TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF TEMPORARY HOUSING FOR THE NEARLY 15,000 NEW ARRIVALS IN 28 ACTIVE SHELTERS.

WE HAVE ALSO TAKEN CONCRETE ACTION TO ADDRESS ANY AND ALL CONCERNS RELATED TO CONDITIONS AT CITY-RUN SHELTERS AS THEY HAVE ARISEN ON SUNDAY DECEMBER 29TH DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY AND SUPPORT SERVICES.

COMMISSIONER BRANDI CAN EYES.

SENT A FOLLOW-UP E-MAIL ADDRESSING LEE'S CONCERNS.

LEE SAYS SHE'S GRATEFUL FOR THE QUICK RESPONSE BUT WANTED ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS SENT THAT TO THE PEOPLE THAT I THOUGHT NEEDED TO HEAR THE >> I DON'T KNOW HOW THAT HAPPENED.

WAS OTHER PEOPLE THAT CLEARLY THERE'S A FOR AN ESCALATION PROCESS WHERE THEY'RE TAKING ACTION THEIR ACTION WITH THE WITH MORE IMMEDIACY, IF YOU WILL.

IN FACT, LEE SAYS SHE DIDN'T HEAR AGAIN FROM THE ADMINISTRATION ON HOW THEY WERE FIXING THE PROBLEMS UNTIL THEIR RESPONSE IN OUR REPORT LAST NIGHT ON THE INSUFFICIENT BATHROOMS, THE ADMINISTRATION DESCRIBES A QUOTE, EDITION OF BATHROOM UNITS TO ACCOMMODATE THE EXPANDED SHELTER POPULATION.

>> WHICH IS 12 FROM 1300 IN OCTOBER TO OVER.

2500 CURRENTLY.

THE STATEMENT ALSO SAYS CITY OFFICIALS, QUOTE, REMEDIATED SEWAGE PIPES, RELOCATED COTS TO ADDRESS SANITARY CONCERNS.

CONTINUED WEEKLY EXTERMINATION SERVICES IN RESPONSE TO THE PEST OUTBREAKS MET WEEKLY WITH FOOD SERVICE PROVIDERS TO ADDRESS FOOD RELATED CONCERNS AND PROVIDE ON-SITE CONSULTATION FOR INFECTION CONTROL THROUGH THE CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH ALDERMAN BYRON LOPEZ WHOSE 25TH WARD IS HOME TO THE SHELTER.

>> SAYS CONDITIONS HAVE NOT IMPROVED THERE.

>> HE SAYS THE JOHNSON ADMINISTRATION NEVER SHARED THE OCTOBER 28TH COMPLAINT WITH HIS OFFICE.

>> THOSE SPECIFIC ISSUES AND CONCERNS FOR WHAT ALSO HEARD FROM OTHER WERE DISCUSSED.

BUT THAT WOULD NOT SHARE RIGHT WITH THAT, YOU KNOW, WITH WITH IS WOULD NOT DISCUSS.

AND AGAIN, WHEN THAT WHEN THIS WHEN THE E-MAILS HEAVILY REDACTED, YOU KNOW GAME, OF COURSE, YOU KNOW, CONCERN AND IMPRESSION OF NOT WANTING TO SHARE THAT INFORMATION.

>> 5 YEAR-OLD JOHN CARLOS MARTINEZ RIVERO DIED AT COMER CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL AFTER FALLING ILL AT THE SHELTER ON DECEMBER 17TH.

THE SHELTER IS ALSO SEEN SEVERAL CHILDREN SENT TO THE HOSPITAL FOR UPPER RESPIRATORY ISSUES.

MARTINEZ RIVEROS CAUSE OF DEATH HAS NOT BEEN RELEASED AND IT IS UNCLEAR ANY OF THE ILLNESSES ARE TIED TO THE UNSANITARY CONDITIONS FOR CHICAGO TONIGHT, LATINO VOICES.

THIS IS PARIS SHOTS.

>> CJ LOPEZ SAYS HE AND HIS CITY COUNCIL'S LATINO CAUCUS MET WITH TOP OFFICIALS OF THE JOHNSON ADMINISTRATION THIS MORNING AND SHARED THEIR CONCERNS ABOUT THE LACK OF TRANSPARENCY SURROUNDING THE SITUATION.

HE SAYS THE CITY HAS BELL TO DO ON THAT FRONT.

AND NOW TO SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES, THE CITY WILL NOT BE EVICTED.

MIGRANTS FROM CITY SHELTERS AS PLANNED THIS MONTH.

INSTEAD, MAYOR JOHNSON IS EXTENDING THE DEADLINE UNTIL FEBRUARY.

1ST.

IT'S THE SECOND DELAY OF THE CITY'S PLAN TO ENFORCE A MAXIMUM 60 DAY.

STAY FOR MIGRANTS SHELTERS, AN EFFORT TO MOVE PEOPLE INTO PERMANENT HOUSING AND OPEN UP SPACE FOR NEWLY ARRIVED ASYLUM SEEKERS.

IT'S UNCLEAR HOW MANY OF THE 3400 MIGRANTS SET TO BE EVICTED WILL BE ABLE TO FIND PERMANENT HOUSING OR OBTAIN WORK PERMITS.

AND THE NEXT 2 WEEKS.

IT'S 7 MONTHS AWAY.

BUT ORGANIZERS OF THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION ARE PREPARING FOR THE MASSIVE SHOW.

CHICAGO WAS HOSTING THE DNC IN AUGUST WHILE REPUBLICANS WILL MEET EARLIER IN THE SUMMER IN MILWAUKEE.

>> WHEN YOU WATCHED THE REPUBLICAN CONVENTION IN JULY AND THE DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION IN AUGUST.

>> YOU WILL SEE A CHOICE AND THAT CHOICE WILL BE MAINSTREAM VERSUS EXTREME.

>> THE MEN EVENT WILL BE AT THE UNITED CENTER, BUT ORGANIZERS ARE ALSO SEARCHING FOR LOCAL VENUES TO HOST PARTIES AND MEETINGS.

THEY WORKING TO RECRUIT 12,000 LOCAL VOLUNTEERS.

RESIDENTS IN LITTLE VILLAGE HAVE UNTIL MARCH.

26 TO FILE CLAIMS AS PART OF A 12 MILLION DOLLAR DOLLAR SETTLEMENT.

THE SETTLEMENT WAS REACHED WITH HILCO REDEVELOPMENT NEARLY 4 YEARS AFTER THE COMPANY'S BOTCHED SMOKESTACK IMPLOSION CENTER.

DUST CLOUD THROUGHOUT THE SOUTH.

WEST SIDE COMMUNITY FOR INFORMATION ON WHO QUALIFIES AND HOW TO SUBMIT A CLAIM.

VISIT OUR WEBSITE.

ANOTHER CHICAGO SPORTS TEAM IS REPORTEDLY SHOPPING AROUND FOR A NEW HOME.

THE CHICAGO SUN-TIMES REPORTS THE WHITE SOX ARE IN COMMUNICATION WITH THE DEVELOPER ABOUT RELOCATING TO A PARCEL OF LAND IN THE SOUTH LOOP KNOWN AS THE 78.

THE 62 ACRE SITE AT ROOSEVELT ROAD IN CLARK STREET IS OWNED BY RELATED MIDWEST LAST YEAR.

SACHS CHAIRMAN JERRY REINSDORF SAID HE WAS EXPLORING A POSSIBLE MOVE FROM GUARANTEED RATE FIELD.

THE TEAM'S LEASE EXPIRES AFTER THE 2029 SEASON.

AND A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORIES IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON TOMORROW.

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IS FORECASTING 2 TO 4 INCHES OF SNOW TONIGHT.

THE SNOW IS EXPECTED TO TAMPER OFF OVERNIGHT BUT DRIFTING SNOW COULD IMPACT YOUR MORNING COMMUTE AND WIND CHILLS AS LOW AS 5.20 BELOW ARE EXPECTED THROUGH THE WEEKEND.

CITY WARMING CENTERS AT HAROLD WASHINGTON LIBRARY LIKE AND NORTH LINCOLN PARK COMMUNITY SERVICES AND GARFIELD COMMUNITY SERVICE CENTERS WILL BE OPEN.

24 7.

UP NEXT, A MAN WHO SERVED MORE THAN 40 YEARS IN PRISON FOR A CRIME HE DIDN'T COMMIT IS NOW FREE.

THAT'S RIGHT.

AFTER THIS.

>> CHICAGO TONIGHT, LATINO VOICE HE'S MADE POSSIBLE IN BY THE SUPPORT OF DONORS.

>> WHEN HE WALKED OUT OF AN ILLINOIS PRISON LAST MONTH.

62 YEAR-OLD JAMES JIMMY HAD SERVED THE LONGEST SENTENCE IN A STATE FOR WRONGFUL CONVICTION AT 42 YEARS NOW HOME FOR JUST A MONTH.

SOCAL SAT DOWN WITH BRANDIS FRIEDMAN TO SHARE HOW HE USED HIS TIME ON THE INSIDE TO START HIS NEW LIFE ON THE OUTSIDE.

>> IT WAS JIMMY SOTOS FIRST SUNRISE OVER LAKE MICHIGAN IN OVER 42 YEARS TO BE THERE AND TO SEE IT.

>> LET ME KNOW.

AND I WAS REALLY OUT THE FRESH AIR IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL, SUNNY DAY.

HER EXTENDED FAMILY.

WHEN WE VISITED SOTO AT HIS SISTER'S HOME IN CHICAGO, HE'D BEEN OUT OF PRISON FOR JUST 6 DAYS.

>> DISCOVERING A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT WORLD FROM THE ONE HE LEFT.

>> I CRASHED MY EYE MAC NOTEBOOK.

NUMBER SEVERAL TIMES TO GET STUCK ON MY PHONE ON CERTAIN THINGS, FOLDERS A POP UP AND I CAN'T GET OUT OF THERE.

>> IT'S NOT JUST THE TECHNOLOGY, EVEN A TRIP TO THE GROCERY STORE CAN BE OVERWHELMING FOR SOMEONE WHO'S BEEN IMPRISONED SINCE HE WAS 19 YEARS OLD STANDING THERE WITH PUSHING A CART.

AND I GOT FROZEN.

SO I SEE ALL THIS VARIETY MEALS.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO.

BUT I PICKED ALL KNOW THAT THE SELLING THE COMMISSARY BECAUSE I KNOW THAT YOU KNOW WHAT I'M SAYING.

HE'S NOW GRASPING THE PARTS OF FREEDOM THAT MOST OF US TAKE FOR GRANTED.

THAT'S PART IS BEING WITH FAMILY WAKING UP IN A QUEEN SIZE YOU KNOW, BEING ABLE TO WALK NO MORE THAN 6 FEET TO A SHOWER BY YOURSELF WITH HOT WATER THAT CAN ADJUST THE LITTLE AMENITIES ME SO MUCH.

>> TO A PERSON WANTS TO GET OUT AND AM SO APPRECIATIVE.

I KEPT HOPE ALIVE AND MY FAMILY WAS >> JUST CAN'T WAIT TO START MY LIFE ON THIS SIDE OF THE BALL.

SO TO WALKED OUT OF STATE BILL PRISON ON DECEMBER 14TH AFTER THE COOK COUNTY STATE'S ATTORNEY'S OFFICE DROPPED THE CHARGES.

HE'S DOUBLE HOMICIDE CONVICTION.

HE AND HIS COUSIN DAVID AYALA RELEASED FROM SERVING THEIR LIFE SENTENCES.

IT'S JUST A TRAGEDY SPENT 42 YEARS WAITING FOR THIS MOMENT WHILE SERVING HIS SENTENCE.

SOTO EARNED A BACHELOR'S DEGREE FROM NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY ALSO A BROTHER HERE WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR OTHER EXONERATIONS.

ALSO YOU GOT.

>> AND BECAME SOMETHING OF A JAILHOUSE LITIGATOR TEACHING HIMSELF THE LAW IN ORDER TO PROVE HIS OWN INNOCENCE.

JIMMY HAD RAISED SOME OF THESE ISSUES BEFORE.

BUT THE COURTS NEVER REALLY LOOK AT THEM.

THERE ARE ALWAYS REASONS THAT THE COURT JUST OUTRIGHT DISMISSED HIS BECAUSE BECAUSE HE WAS REPRESENTING HIMSELF AT THE TIME.

>> I THINK LARGELY YES.

AND THERE THIS THE SYSTEM COURTS JUST REALLY.

LIKE FINALITY.

THAT'S HOW OUR SYSTEM IS SET UP THAT ONCE YOU ARE CONVICTED, IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO OVERTURN A CONVICTION.

IMAGINE TRYING TO DO IT FROM BEHIND PRISON WALLS.

>> MY FIRST POST CONVICTION LINGERED.

IN THE STATE COURTS OVER 20 YEARS.

IT REVERSE REMAND IT TWICE.

YOU KNOW, I THOUGHT THAT I WOULD REALLY FROM THAT.

BUT IT DIDN'T HAPPEN.

SO, YOU KNOW, I HAD TO GO BACK TO TO SQUARE ONE.

LOOK AT ALL THESE RECORDS AND REPORTS AND DOING FOIA REQUESTS, ETCETERA.

HE FILED SO MANY PETITIONS, SO MANY EMOTIONS, SO MANY BRIEFS IN HIS OWN CASE TO TRY TO GET SOMEONE TO LISTEN TO GET A COURT TO LISTEN.

>> A STATE THAT RAIN TO LISTEN, ANYONE AND IT'S STILL TALK.

42 YEARS NOW THAT HE'S FREE SOTO PLANS TO ATTEND LAW SCHOOL AND BECOME A WRONGFUL CONVICTION.

ATTORNEY HIMSELF.

>> HAVING ALREADY WON HIS BIGGEST CASE YET.

EVERY TIME WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THE CASEY HAD NEW IDEAS ABOUT WHETHER IT'S A NEW CASE TO SITE OR A NEW INVESTIGATORY PAST THAT WERE NEW WITNESS WE COULD TALK TO OR SOMETHING HE'S ALWAYS THINKING ABOUT THE LITTLE TINY, KATIE.

SHE JUST TURNED ALL ALONG.

>> HER ALL MEANWHILE, SOTO IS CATCHING UP ON ALL THAT HE MISSED WITH HELP FROM HIS LITTLE SISTER.

MY DAD WENT EVERY SUNDAY TO VISIT ME.

AND SO I WENT TO.

>> AND SO I SAW HIM ALL THE TIME, YOU AND I WROTE HIM LETTERS AND JEROME LITTLE PICTURES.

POLAR MORE WAS 8 YEARS OLD WHEN HER BIG BROTHER WENT TO PRISON.

SHE'S 50.

I'VE BEEN WITH HIM EVERY STEP OF THE WAY TO SOME CAPACITY AND THERE ARE OTHER TIMES WHERE.

I FELT LIKE THE CASE MAYBE HAD SOME MOVEMENT AND IT WOULDN'T.

I JUST LOOK FORWARD TO GETTING TO KNOW HIM BECAUSE IT IS DIFFERENT.

ALL OF THOSE LETTERS AND STUFF THEY CAN NEVER CONVEY ALL THAT.

>> THINGS THAT THAT SOMEONE HAD MISSES OF EVERYDAY LIFE SOTO ALSO MISSED TIME WITH THEIR FATHER.

>> WHO DIED WHILE HE WAS IMPRISONED?

>> HE WAS HE WAS HE WAS IN MY CORNER.

HE BELIEVED AND, YOU KNOW, ONE STATE THAT THEIR DID SOMETHING.

NO, HE WASN'T THERE TO MY THAT SOMEONE GOING TO LIKE IT.

AGAIN FOR THE SMALL THINGS.

GIVE SENATOR COMMISSARY MONEY.

I MEAN, IT'S HARD.

>> AND DESPITE HAVING SERVED THE LONGEST WRONGFUL CONVICTION SENTENCE IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, SOTO SAYS HE'S NOT ANGRY, JUST FOCUSED ON HIS FUTURE IS LIKE AN ALTERNATIVE UNIVERSE.

YOU FEEL LIKE YOU ENCAPSULATE SOMEWHERE.

>> AND YOU DIDN'T KNOW THE REAL WORLD.

SO TO SPEAK.

AND SO.

YOU TEND BLOCK IT OUT BECAUSE YOU KNOW THAT TO THINK ABOUT IS JUST TEARS YOU APART.

SO YOU HAD SAY IT DIDN'T EXIST IN A SENSE.

>> BUT DOWN TO GET OUT THERE AND SEE IT.

YOU KNOW, IT'S TANGIBLE.

I DESCRIBED IT AS THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WALL.

THE AIR IS KNOW FOR SURE.

EVERYTHING LOOKED BRIGHTER.

>> FOR CHICAGO TONIGHT, LATINO VOICES BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

SO HIS ATTORNEYS ARGUE TO CLAIMS TO GET HIM EXONERATED.

ONE OF THE ACTUAL INNOCENCE THAT'S OPAL DID NOT PULL THE TRIGGER IN THE DOUBLE HOMICIDE IN WHICH HE WAS CONVICTED AND ALSO A CONFLICT OF INTEREST.

HIS DEFENSE ATTORNEY AT THE TIME WAS ALSO REPRESENTING THE PRISON HUSAK GOING ATTORNEYS BELIEVE WAS ACTUAL SHOOTER.

>> SO THOSE SAYS HE'S STUDYING OF TO RETAKE THE L SAT IN APPLY FOR LAW SCHOOL.

FAMILY HAS STARTED A GO FUND ME PAGE TO HELP HIM.

WE WISH HIM LUCK.

WHAT IS THE RIGHT TIME TO BUY A HOME WITH RISING HOME PRICES, LIVING COSTS AND MORE SAVING FOR THAT NEXT STEP CAN BE INTIMIDATING.

IT'S CAUSING MANY YOUNG ADULTS TO DELAY THEIR PURCHASE.

THE AVERAGE AGE OF FIRST-TIME HOME BUYERS HAS REACHED 36 YEARS OLD, ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS.

JOINING US NOW WITH MORE, OUR AMBER HEADLEY DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH AT THE WOULD STICK INSTITUTE ZACH, THAT THAT DIRECTOR OF THE FINANCIAL WELLNESS OF THE RESURRECTION PROJECT.

AND ANDY, A NEW CHICAGO HOMEOWNER.

TODAY'S YOUR LAST NAME, RIGHT?

I MIGHT.

I OKAY.

I'M NOT ITEM.

OKAY I WAS CLOSE.

I WAS CLOSE.

ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU ALL FOR JOINING US.

I WANT TO START WITH YOU.

THIS HAS BEEN A HOT TOPIC WITH THE RESEARCH ARE YOUNG ADULTS WAITING?

WHY ARE YOUNG ADULTS WAITING TO BUY THEIR FIRST HOME?

SO IT'S 3 FULTZ.

THERE'S GOING TO IN THE NOW.

AFFORDABILITY, PRIORITIES AND TRAUMA, RACIAL ETHNIC TRAUMA WITH.

>> ECONOMIC SYSTEMS.

START WITH AFFORDABILITY.

INTEREST RATES ARE HIGH.

QUALITY HOUSING STOCK.

IT'S HIGH.

SO THERE'S HOUSING STOCK THAT'S AFFORDABLE, QUALITY HOUSING STOCK IS HIGH.

PRIORITIES.

INDIVIDUALS WANT TO LIVE IN COMMUNITIES THAT THEY'RE FROM AND A LOT OF THESE COMMUNITIES ARE BEING GENTRIFIED.

ARE GOING UP.

SOMEWHERE.

PEOPLE CHOOSE TO LIVE OR THEY WANT TO LIVE THEIR YOUNGER.

SO THEY WANT MORE ACCESS TO GREATER AND MANATEES IN THOSE NEIGHBORHOODS TEND TO BE CLOSER TO THE LOOP.

AND THOSE ALSO TEND TO BE HIGHER COSTS.

SO THERE'S ISSUES THERE WITH THE PRIORITIES AND AFFORDABILITY COMING TOGETHER.

AND THERE'S THE TRAUMA THAT'S ASSOCIATED WITH HOMEOWNERSHIP BECAUSE THE LATINA COMMUNITY IS ONE OF THE HARDEST HIT ANY ECONOMIC DOWNTURN.

ANY RECESSION, ANY CRISIS AND SO YOUNG PEOPLE WHO HAVE WATCHED GENERATIONS BEFORE THEM STRUGGLE TO MAINTAIN THEIR HOMES FOR THEIR HOMES ARE LESS LIKELY TO BE EXCITED ABOUT GETTING STARTED EARLY.

AND SO IT'S THOSE THINGS ARE PRIORITIES.

WHAT DO THEY DIDN'T WANT?

WHAT THEY WANT TO ENJOY?

WHAT'S AROUND THEM.

THEY HAVE PARTICULAR DESIRES FOR THEIR HOMES AND CAN FOR THAT ON TOP OF THE FACT THAT THERE'S ISSUES WITH RAISING OF THE RACES IN THE HOMES AND THE INTEREST RATES GOING AND YOU WANT TO GO TO YOU.

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO BECOME A HOMEOWNER?

IMMIGRANT MYSELF?

I THINK ONE OF THE DREAMS MY FAMILY AND I HAVE ALWAYS HAD IS LIKE.

>> PURCHASING A HOME AND HAVING THAT FINANCIAL FREEDOM.

AND SO AROUND THE AGE 20 OR 25, I STARTED TO LOOK FOR HOMES, BUT THEN I SAW EXACTLY THAT THAT IT WAS REALLY PRICEY WAS REALLY EXPENSIVE FOR ME AND MAYBE POTENTIALLY NOT OBTAINABLE.

AND SO I DID A LOT OF ADJUSTMENTS TO MY LIVING EXPENSES TO BE ABLE TO BUY A HOME.

I GUESS THE ONE THING RIGHT, HAVING TO ADJUST.

>> YEAH.

AND SEE WHAT WORKS AND DOESN'T WORK.

IS IT WHEN IT COMES TO LET KNOWS WHAT'S DRIVING THEIR DESIRE TO OWN A HOME?

IT'S THAT IT SAID BUILDING OF GENERATIONAL WEALTH.

YOU WANT TO ANTICIPATE TO GET TO THAT YOU KNOW, MENTIONED, WE'VE GONE THROUGH DIFFERENT EXPERIENCES FIRSTHAND.

>> THE 2008 CRISIS, I THINK EVERYONE CAN RESIGNATION TO HAVE A PART OF BEING ABLE TO LIVE THROUGH THAT EXPERIENCE.

AND SO BEING CAREFUL, BE INTIMIDATED BECAUSE OF FAILURE.

AND SO WE DON'T WANT TO FAIL WHEN WE GO INTO THE DREAM OF HOME OWNERSHIP BECAUSE I THINK ONE THING IS YOU'RE BUILDING HABITS TO GET TO PREPARE E. BUT ONCE YOU OWN A HOME, YOU ACTUALLY HAVE TO BUILD MORE MOMENTUM TO UNDERSTAND THE FUNCTIONS, THE STRUCTURE OF THE HOME, THE QUALITY OF BUILDING STRUCTURE AND HOW TO MAINTAIN AND ARE SENDING ALL THOSE LAYERS AND ALL THOSE LAYERS AND SO LIVING.

SO THE CONDITIONS OF HOMES REALLY THERE.

>> YOU KNOW, AS MUCH AS THEY ARE AFFORDABLE, SUSTAINABILITY IS REALLY KIND OF THE WHAT WE'RE FIGHTING AGAINST, WHO HAVE FAMILIES KEEP THEIR HOMES AS WELL COURSE.

AND SO I THINK WHAT WE'VE SEEN A LOT MORE RECENTLY AS PROPERTY TAXES GOING UP.

AND SO THAT'S INCREASED MUCH MORE WHERE WE'RE IN A REASSESSMENT YEAR THIS YEAR.

AND SO THOSE ARE THINGS THAT YOU HAVE TO EDUCATE YOURSELF ONE HOW TO PREPARE FOR YOURSELF OR MORTGAGE.

BUT THEN NOW YOU HAVE TO PREPARE TO UNDERSTAND THE OPEN AND EDUCATE YOURSELF ON OTHER FACTORS WHEN IT COMES TO HOME OWNERSHIP.

I THINK I JUST MENTIONED TO HAS ALSO PURCHASED A PROPERTY, SAW HIM GOING THROUGH SAME JOURNEY.

NOW, AMBER, GOING TO YOU SPOKE ABOUT IT A LITTLE BIT.

WHAT EFFECT TO THESE CONCERNS HAVE CONCERNS HAVE ON THOSE WHO ARE JUST STARTING TO BUILD GENERATIONAL WEALTH THROUGH HOMEOWNERSHIP.

>> SO AGAIN, IT'S THE CHOICE IF YOU WANT TO LIVE IN A PARTICULAR COMMUNITY AREA, YOU'RE GOING TO PAY HIGHER COSTS FOR WHICH MIGHT CONSTRICT TO.

IF YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT MAINTAINING THAT HOME, YOU MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO DO THE REGULAR MAINTENANCE GOING ADD VALUE TO THE HOME.

>> AND THEN ALSO OVER TIME BECOME MORE COSTLY TO YOU BECAUSE YOU'RE THAT PEOPLE ARE SETTLING.

>> NOT ABOUT, YOU KNOW, I GUESS WHEN I WAS LOOKING, MAYBE YOU CAN, YOU KNOW, SHARE THOUGHT ABOUT, DO I WANT TO SETTLE?

WHAT DO I SETTLED FOR?

AND SO I THINK LIKE INITIAL QUESTION YOU ASK IS WHY ARE PEOPLE WAITING LONGER?

THEY DON'T WANT TO SETTLE.

SO THEY'RE SAYING I CAN RENT AND A NEIGHBORHOOD THAT GIVES ME EVERYTHING THAT I WANT.

THAT MAY BE CLOSER TO MY FAMILY.

THAT GIVES ME ACCESS TO THE LOOP.

GIVES ME ACCESS TO ALL OF THESE DIFFERENT TYPES OF RESTAURANTS AND MY CULTURE.

I CAN BE CLOSE AND I CAN RENT SOME SOME PEOPLE I WOULD SAY.

THAT'S QUESTION YOU'RE ASKING.

THEY'RE NOT SETTLING THERE CONTINUING TO RENT UNTIL THEY CAN GET WHAT THEY WANT.

AND SOME PEOPLE ARE WILLING TO SAY MAYBE IT'S NOT SETTLING.

MAYBE THIS MEANS A LITTLE BIT MORE TO ME THAN THESE OTHER FACTORS.

WE KNOW RENT SEEMS LIKE IT'S INCREASING.

IT IS AS AND AND FOR YOU SAVING FOR A DOWN PAYMENT, WE KNOW CAN BE HEART.

AND WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE FOR YOU?

SO FOR ME, I WAS GIVEN THE ADVICE TO LIVE AS IF I WAS STILL A COLLEGE STUDENT.

>> WHEN I HAVE MY FULL TIME JOB AND SO SOON AS I GRADUATED, I GET THE BUDGET PLAN.

A 50% OF MY SALARY GOES A SAVINGS AND THEN THE REST 30% GOES TO MY LIVING EXPENSES, FRIEND.

AND THE REMAINING WAS JUST FOR MY DESIRES.

AND ONCE.

AND SO I THAT OVER TIME, 8 THAT A LOT OF THINGS TO BE BUDGET FRIENDLY AND THEN ULTIMATELY ACCUMULATED ENOUGH SO THAT I WAS ABLE TO FEEL COMFORTABLE AND CONFIDENT TO PUT DOWN PAYMENT.

I WANTED TO BUY FIRST PROPERTY.

IT WAS IN APRIL OF LAST SO HOW DOES THAT FEEL?

>> YOU FEELS STILL HAVE THAT MOMENT OF THE COLD?

I AM I DOING THIS RIGHT NOW.

NOT AT THIS POINT.

I THINK MY GOAL WAS ALWAYS TO THINK THAT.

I DON'T WANT THIS TO FEEL LIKE IT WAS SUPER DIFFICULT.

SUPER CHALLENGING BECAUSE I DON'T WANT THIS TO BE THE LAST TIME I BUY A HOME.

I WANTED TO FEEL COMFORTABLE IN CHALLENGING ENOUGH TO TEACH OTHERS AND MAKE OTHERS FEEL EMPOWERED ENOUGH THAT THEY CAN ALSO DO IT THEMSELVES.

REALLY AWESOME.

GOING TO YOU TELL ME A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE RESURRECTION PROJECT, ONE OF THE TYPE OF PROGRAMS.

HOW DO YOU HELP PEOPLE?

AS TO THE GOAL OF THE PROCESS OF MAYBE WANTING TO BUY PROPERTY?

YEAH, DEFINITELY.

SO WE'VE BEEN AROUND FOR 32 YEARS AND HOUSING COUNSELING SERVICES.

>> HE'S REALLY BEEN A PART OF THE ESSENTIAL ASPECT OF THE WORK THAT WE DO.

SO WE HOPE EDUCATE, PREPARE BUYERS, BUILD THAT CONFIDENCE AS WHAT SHE SPEAKS TO ITS.

IT REALLY IS BUT THEN IT'S REALLY UNDERSTANDING THE PERSISTENCE AND CONSISTENCY OF STAYING MOTIVATED.

IT'S REALLY HARD RIGHT NOW BECAUSE OF TODAY'S MARKET.

WE HAVE SO MUCH COMPETITION HAPPENING NOT ONLY WITH THE RATES, THE HOUSING STOCK, THERE'S A SHORTAGE THAT CONTINUES TO BE.

AND SO IT REALLY IS ABOUT BE ABLE TO WALK SOMEONE THROUGH THE EMOTIONS BECAUSE IT'S REALLY EMOTIONAL TO GO THROUGH THE PROCESS OF HOME BUYING.

THERE'S A LOT AT STAKE.

IT ALMOST FEELS LIKE WE HAVE ONE SHOT.

HAS A TO DO IS STAY HOME OWNER.

JUST ANYONE WHO BEEN GRANTS OUT THERE, RIGHT?

YOU HAVE IF YOU RECEIVED A GRANT.

YEAH, I RECEIVED 2 ACTUALLY.

SO.

>> AT FIRST IT WAS WORKING WITH SPECIFIC MORTGAGE LENDER AND THEN I RECEIVED I THANKFULLY HAD LIKE A PARTNER IN A COUPLE MENTORS ADVISE ME ON OPPORTUNITIES.

AND SO TOOK A STRATEGY WHERE I BOUGHT A PROPERTY AND THEN LIFT IN ONE OF THE UNITS ARE RENTED THE OTHER ONE.

SO THAT COULD HELP HELP ME PAY FOR THE MORTGAGE.

AND THEN I FOUND THAT BANK OF AMERICA.

ACTUALLY HAVE 2 GRANTS.

ONE THAT WOULD HELP FOR THE DOWN PAYMENT AND THE OTHER ONE THAT WOULD HELP FOR CLOSING COST NUMBER.

WE DON'T HAVE TIME FOR ONE LAST QUESTION.

BUT WOULD YOU SAY THAT THESE PROGRAMS, THESE GRANT PROGRAMS TO BENEFIT FIRST-TIME BUYERS, THEY DO VERY, VERY HELPFUL.

SOMETIMES THEY'RE THE ONLY WAY THAT SOMEONE CAN OWN A HOME.

>> THANK YOU ALL FOR THIS CONVERSATION.

I KNOW WE COULD KEEP GOING FOR CRAIG REGULATIONS.

THANK YOU.

UP NEXT-HOW CHICAGO AND IS HELPING MIGRANTS STAY WARM DURING THE FRIGID WEATHER.

>> STORIES ABOUT CHICAGO.

HOME OWNERSHIP ARE SUPPORTED BY FUNDING FROM THE CHICAGO COMMUNITY.

>> WE ALL KNOW THAT WAS CHICAGO'S BRUTAL WINTERS.

IT'S CRUCIAL TO KEEP EVERY INCH OF YOUR BODY COVERED.

ONE ROGERS PARK RESIDENT IS MAKING IT HER MISSION TO HELP MIGRANTS, MANY OF WHOM ARE EXPERIENCING COLD WEATHER FOR THE FIRST TIME BY GIVING THEM IT'D AND CROCHETED WINTER HATS.

SHE REACHED OUT TO CRAFTING GROUPS ASKING IF OTHERS WANT TO DO THE SAME.

MARJORIE CHAN HAS RECEIVED NEARLY 2000 HATS FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY, INCLUDING HAWAII AND CALIFORNIA.

SHE SAYS HER MAIN HOPE IS TO MAKE MIGRANTS FEEL WELCOME.

>> SO I DHONI'S CHECKS ARE VERY >> EASY THING TO MATE.

>> FOR OF COURSE, AIRS.

>> THERE ARE LOTS OF KNITTING GROUPS FACEBOOK.

SO REACHED OUT TO EVERYBODY.

COULD AND SAID THIS IS WHAT DOING.

LIKE TO MAKE THEY WANT TO HELP.

THIS IS A WAY THAT THEY CAN COME HELP.

AND AS FOR THE PEOPLE THERE, SEE IF HEADS, HOPE IS THAT IT KEEPS OR HAVE YOU KNOW.

IT I THINK.

I BELIEVE THIS OF ALSO MISSING.

THERE IS A CONNECTION BETWEEN THE PRESIDENT RECEIVED OF LIGHTS.

AND I THINK YOU CAN FEEL THE CARE.

AND THE REALLY LOOK AT THAT AND YOU SAY HOW CAN YOU NOT SAY ALWAYS DID I MAKE ALL THESE?

IS THAT IN I'M STILL MY 1ST HALF FOR THIS PROJECT BECAUSE I'VE BEEN SPENDING ALL MY TIME, THE MYSTERY AND AND TAKING OUT ON THE ROAD, SO TO SPEAK.

YOU HAVE YOU KNOW, COUPLE HOT CHOCOLATE MAKE YOU KNOW, FEEL A LITTLE MORE WELCOME.

YOU KNOW, TENNIS IS SOMETHING JUST WAS AN ACCIDENT.

AS MATTER OF INCHES MYSELF.

>> CHAN HAS BEEN HOSTING POP UPS KNOWN AS HATS AND HOT CHOCOLATE AT THE PUBLIC LIBRARIES AND SCHOOLS TO REACH MIGRANTS AND THEIR FAMILIES.

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT OUR WEBSITE.

I LOVE THESE KIND OF STORIES THAT JUST SHOWS YOU WHAT A SMALL GESTURE AND HOW THESE KIND OF JUST A SINGLE SUCH A LONG WAY.

AND THAT'S A SHELL TONIGHT.

JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT AT 5.37, FOR THE WEEKEND REVIEW.

NOW FROM ALL OF US HERE, CHICAGO TONIGHT, LATINO VOICES.

I'M JOINED THAT MAN THIS STAY HEALTHY.

STAY SAFE.

ONE AS MUCH >> CLOSED CAPTIONING IS MADE POSSIBLE BY ROBERT, A CLIFF AND CLIFFORD LAW OFFICES, A